There was a parade of club legends before kick-off to mark Arsenal's 125th anniversary, but the current crop looked far from inspired as they took to the field and played out a goalless first half.

The game looked destined to finish goalless as Everton continued to provide stubborn resistance after the break, but van Persie then popped up with the winning goal on 70 minutes to cap a special occasion for the club.

Alex Song picked out van Persie with a clever chipped pass and the Dutchman displayed excellent technique to dispatch a sublime left-foot strike in off the far post.

The goal took van Persie to just one goal off Thierry Henry's club record for goals in a calendar year, with the Frenchman watching from the stands.

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